Mahaba Island Is A Protected Marine Sanctuary That Is Good for Snorkeling

MAHABA ISLAND

Photo from: http://faq.ph/cuatro-islas-leyte-digyo-mahaba-apid-himokilan/

One of the four islands in the Cuatro Islas. So called because it is flat and elongated in shape. The name Mahaba is from the Tagalog word haba meaning “long” after the visitors in the place described it to be.

Along the shore in the island are the growing mangroves, white sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, and very clear pristine sea water. Towering coconut trees and some trees also abound in the island.

Some fishermen built their houses in the island where they settled along with their families. They built concrete cistern near their houses to catch and store rainwater as their main source of freshwater. Read More: http://inopacan.blogspot.com/2010/02/himokilan-island.html

Photo from: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2100747-d3426997-Reviews-Mahaba_Island-Inopacan_Leyte_Province_Leyte_Island_Visayas.html

As its name suggests, Mahaba Island is elongated in shape and is the second largest of the group. The island is covered in lush vegetation and barely inhabited with only a tiny village in the northwest. There are beautiful white-sand beaches on the eastern and northern sides. We landed and stayed at the beach on the eastern section which is the longest in the island.

The waters off Mahaba are remarkably clear and crystalline, among the clearest we’ve seen. There are rock formations on the eastern side and a long sand-bar running parallel to the beach. We enjoyed swimming and taking pictures here. We’ve heard that the snorkeling here is very good. The island is actually a protected marine sanctuary and sea turtles have been observed on occasion. The coral reef is several meters away from shore where the sea bottom drops off suddenly to form a reef wall. From previous experience we know that this is where reef fishes abound. In retrospect we should have asked our boatmen to anchor at that point to allow us to snorkel from the boat. Read More: http://shoestringtravelers.com/?q=node/106

Photo from: http://faq.ph/cuatro-islas-leyte-digyo-mahaba-apid-himokilan/

Mahaba is truly “mahaba” (long). It is the most beautiful island among the Cuatro Islas characterized with a breathtaking beach facing the Island of Leyte and with still waters being in the middle and closer to Leyte. Snorkeling is not necessary to see the beautiful coral gardens with colorful fishes surrounding Mahaba Island because the waters around this island are PERFECTLY clear! Camping is definitely a lot better at Mahaba than at Digyo. Read More: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g2100747-d3426997-r192053655-Mahaba_Island-Inopacan_Leyte_Province_Leyte_Island_Visayas.html#